Winter Care For Dogs: 3 things to watch for

by Melissa Kullman – Master Groomer, Puckabee’s Eco-Friendly Grooming

Wisconsin winters take their toll on our four-legged family members, and because our pets don’t complain, we sometimes forget that their needs change through the year. Some of the most common winter problems that ail our pets are the simplest to treat and prevent.

Dry Skin
Heating our homes not only dries our skin but our pets, too. Many dogs and cats suffer from dry skin. Whether it’s due to allergies or dry winter air, there are a few easy ways to treat and prevent this problem. Feeding a high quality dog food supplement that contains not just vitamins and minerals, but digestive enzymes, probiotics and omega 6 are essential. Intestinal wellness is the secret to healthy skin and coat, as well as overall health and wellness. Fido-Vite is a locally produced supplement that guarantees their product or your money back (www.fido-vite.com).

Herbs are also a great way to treat dogs and cats. Plants like nettle and oats are just a couple of herbs that make a huge difference when it comes to your dog’s or cat’s skin. Our eco-friendly salon, Puckabee’s, offers a skin soother treatment that includes an oatmeal bath and fresh organic herbal infusion rinse. *Remember, when bathing at home use a shampoo that is plant based and chemical free to avoid further irritation.

Cracked/Dry Paw Pads
Walking over those salted sidewalks irritates your dog’s paws by drying the pads and causing painful cracks. Change to a pet friendly sidewalk salt, and apply Nose to Toes balm to pads to rehydrate, soothe, and protect before and after walks. Nose to Toes balm was created by a local herbalist specifically to soothe a wide variety of skin irritations (cuts, dry noses, hot spots, etc.) for dogs and cats. Since it’s all natural and chemical free, you don’t have to worry about your dog ingesting the balm.

Chill & Frostbite
Consider getting your dog groomed more frequently during the winter months. Hair that picks up snow gets wet and becomes matted quickly. These matts dry slowly, leaving your dog feeling chilled. Excessive matts lead to one of two things: a very short (and chilly) haircut or a lot of painful combing.